United Nations Radio

The 38 peacekeepers taken hostage in Zamzam IDP camp in North Darfur have been released.

The peacekeepers, held hostage at gunpoint for over five hours by a group called the Sudan Liberation Army/Minni Faction, were prevented from conducting their patrol by SLA/M commanders, who demanded money as compensation for a road accident that left one motorcyclist - believed to be an SLA/M member - injured. UNAMID, the UN African Union Mission in Darfur - responded by dispatching reinforcements to the camp to assist in the release of the detained UN Police and military personnel.

UNAMID Deputy Head of Mission, Henry Anyidoho, said, "No justification for such agression against peacekeepers in acceptable. We condemn the attack and we condemn restrictions over the movements of peacekeepers." He added, "I want to make it clear that UNAMID does not condone any traffic violations by its own personnel. ... We respect the law of the land and in the same vein, we do not condone any party taking the law into its own hands."

For United Nations Radio, this is Gerry Adams.

(duration: 1'10")